Cafe Bambino

I will not be returning to Café Bambino. My husband and I went early on Sunday morning and it took several minutes for the barista to acknowledge us entering and we were the only customers. I tried to right the ship by asking how she was doing and she looked at me like I had a third eye. Her service was curt and unpleasant. She left us feeling like she didn’t want us there. There are plenty of other good coffee shops where we can enjoy the coffee AND be treated respectfully.

Incredible coffee, great baristas. This tiny space is loud and proud, and I hope it stays around forever. When the owner (?) pops in and works the machine or counter, she always says the most awkward shit though. The day Bauhaus shut its doors, she jokingly asked me to pay for my coffee twice so that they could stay in business, but her delivery was super awkward. They also seriously don’t need all the tacky branded paraphernalia, let the legacy and amazing coffee and baristas do the talking.

This is exactly the little hole in the wall style café that I love. This place is tiny and cozy and is oozing with charm. I love all the stylings they have in the shop and for such a small place, they really make use of every nook and cranny.
I was impressed that they have a pretty good selection of food too (I got one of the panini’s and it was delicious!). But lets get down to the real reason anyone goes to coffee shops… the coffee! I asked where the coffee was from and they get their espresso from Italy. I was not disappointed. The coffee was smooth and delicious (I got an americano). One of the best I have had in Seattle since moving here.
It probably didn’t hurt that the worker behind the counter (meg?) was very friendly, informative and made us feel welcome.
Bottom line: Great Coffee + yummy food + great customer service = I’m a fan! I plan on coming back here many times.

Best coffee around. Friendly service. And now excellent, hot and fast sandwiches!

I just wrote a review
the heading is stuck on provo…
I like this place, its not like if this spot wasn’t there it would make it a different or better place.
I would usually go to the Eastern orthodox church a couple of blocks up and just sit on the steps while drinking the coffee.
When I worked at goodwill next door, I would go get a cup around 8 a. m, before the whole process of opening started.
theres a neat little bucket of cigarettes by the front door with American spirit clips that can help a nic — fit… just like the stores and laundrymat across the street.

The coffee is good, but if you are not a regular standing around telling stories, you don’t seem to get a friendly welcome or paid much notice for that matter. Conversation was happening with the woman behind me before I was even asked my order. A cramped little spot with 3 regulars standing around shooting the breeze. With nowhere to stand after my order I ended up a corner where I wasn’t even alerted that my coffee was ready, I only noticed it was sitting on the counter when I saw she was pouring another drink.
Decent price, good coffee but not amped on the service. Treat people as equals, whether we are regulars or just in the area. We are all paying customers!

Love this place! I live just around the corner and used to come frequently, though not as much anymore because of my schedule. But, its a great place. Good coffee, excellent pastries (especially the almond croissant!) and the place itself is just fun. Can be a bit busy, but its cute so its worth the wait!

Great spot. Great coffee. Stuffy baristas. I feel like i’m being judged for NOT ordering something gluten/​paleo/​organic. Just a coffee please, thanks! Again, coffee is always good, but the attitude is also free. Good thing this place is tiny, so you can just get in, get your drink and get out.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Bambino!
Do you keep finding yourself buying the same cup of coffee from the same boring, cookie cutter, corp. business models?
Basta!
Enter Café Bambino. Not only do they use some top notch, Italian beans but they’re fun! And personable! And sometimes they’ll sing with you at 8 am ;)
Go there for the drinks. Milk alternatives are Soy and Hemp Milk. They have some pastries, fruit, and offer two kinds of breakfast sandwiches and Gluten Free bars.
It’s a super small joint, but there is outside seating. In the warmer months you’ll find folky bands livening up the neighborhood with their sweet tunes emanating from Bambino’s patio. I love giving Bambino my business!

I would frequent Bambino when I was in HS, bagging groceries at the PCC over the epic hill that is Phinney Ridge, and wanted coffee that was nearby but not in Greenlake proper. I had a period of about 5 years where I didn’t come into Bambino; pre 2008 Bambino was, as I recall, cash only and with a healthy level of snark. 2014 Bambino has a Square Up account and still has some snark, but is more the kind of snark where they know you and you flip it back kind of snark.

Great coffee, but the pastries are just ok. Seems like a fun neighborhood coffee shop where everyone knows everyone.

I love this place and the people. The coffee is strong, high quality, and amazing. They have an iced toddy that will knock your socks off. I pretty much come here everyday.

I’ve been driving past Café Bambino for many years when I visit the Ballard Goodwill. I like this stretch of Ballard (think Ridgeback Café and Chocolat Vitale), now I can add Café Bambino to this quality list.
Earlier this morning after an amazing haul of cool finds at GW, had parking karma to finally pull over to check out Café Bambino. Landmark to watch for — has the cool Buddha tea/​coffee cup and saucer on top of the building! Another stamp card destination for this indie coffee house fan!
Clearly a neighborhood destination since both in and out were full of people. Baked goods from Le Panier, Little Rae’s, Mighty O. Very personable and welcoming barista who made an excellent mocha. Kiddo ordered a peppermint tea. A good sign is that two of their knick knacks I have, with one I just bought earlier from my GW visit.
Thanks for adding to an already awesome Saturday morning!

Seattle’s Coffee Unilocal Recognition Award:
Best Place to Sip & Stand Coffee
Sipping room only… since 1928.
THIS is the type of neighborhood café I envision when I think of Seattle! [Except for the fact that they use Italian beans, Berardo.]
Driving downhill from Phinney Ridge along NW 65^th into Ballard, you can’t miss the Bambino Buddha sitting atop the café with wide eyes like Big Brother (
).
There’s only space for a cashier and a barista behind the rounded convex counter, with six stools at the window. No four-​legged friends allowed inside – and honestly there’s no space for them. They have some awesome antiques put to use like a lacquer sugar bowl, Wrigley gum dispenser and stained windows. I love their selection of coffee fixings with honey on a hot plate so it stays smooth. Nice touch! And heck, it’s even Obama approved (
) Everyone appears to visit for the Mighty-​O-​Donuts they sell (no trans-​fats or hydrogenated oils). My man enjoyed their potently delicious cappuccino, extra wet. I sipped on their chocolatey delicious mocha. On a lazy, dreary Sunday, this is where I can be found reading the newspaper. However, on a sunny day, their outside side patio is wonderful.

The cool staff and quaintness of this place make it a gem in the rough of Ballard. The coffee is always made well, never bitter. They have a small selection of pastries, but a wonderful small selection. The breakfast sandwiches they carry keep me coming back for more. The cool outdoor patio has heating lamps, so it’s a perfect place to enjoy a hot chocolate with peppermint, read a good novel and enjoy the festive Christmas decorations they put up every year.
The only downside is that they don’t let you bring your dog in with you. My poor pup sadly sits outside and stares longingly in the window hoping for a treat… which they took away when they decided dogs were no longer welcome.

Love this place. Stumbletown is where it’s at. The baristas are great. My favorite thing to do on rainy mornings is order a latte from Bambino and wander around the Ballard Goodwill.

This review depends on what you want in a coffee shop. This place IS a 5 star place IF what you like is a neighborhood shop where you pop in and have either a quick espresso/​cap or take something to go. Or if you get a nice weather day and you want to read a book/​the paper/​chat on the patio. They have good service and good coffee and are one of the few shops in town that fit this mold.
This place IS NOT a 5 star place if you are looking for somewhere to park and use your computer. They do not have WiFi and it would not be the best fit if that is what you are looking for.
Love it for what it is, or go somewhere else in the hood.

I just moved into a house down the street from here. My husband LOVES the coffee but I got a soy latte and it was no bueno! It tasted like beans, not coffee beans, but rice and beans type of beans. I think maybe the barista over steamed the milk?
Stopped in again this morning for a bagel, the young lady barista was super friendly and I loved the welcoming atmosphere! I will try the coffee again when I’m feeling adventurous.

This review is for Bino, my favorite barista!
5-​star service and great place.

This place has delicious and tasty coffee. The baristas are fun and friendly. The have cute hoodies and shirts for sale. If Obama is wearing it, you should too! The art work on the wall adds a nice touch. Who doesn’t like a Buddah Belly? Come check it out for yourself!